Ogun Speaker canvasses institutional reforms to strengthen nation’s democracy
By Ayo Fadimu
There is need for the nation’s leadership to further strengthen government’s institutions with a view to addressing societal challenges towards deepening democratic practices for the overall benefits of the people.
The Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo stated this while addressing participants of the Course 14 of the National Institute of Security Studies led by the Director of Research, Estimates and Library Services in the Institute, Dr. Adegboyega Kareem during a courtesy visit to the Assembly, at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta as part of their study visit to the State.
Oluomo noted that it became imperative for stakeholders in the Nigerian project including the participants from the Institute to make viable recommendations to the Federal Government on the global best practices in addressing issues including insecurity, economic planning, revenue generation, administrations, independence of the State legislature and judiciary as well as local government autonomy amongst other, adding that the present socio-economic situation of the nation required a more pragmatic approach.
Congratulating the participants on the successful visit, the Speaker tasked them to further redouble their efforts in the discharge of their duties.
Citing certain shortcomings inherent in the current presidential system being practised in the country, which had resulted in abuse of powers in the past, Oluomo sought for the removal of security from the exculsive legislative list to the concurrent list with emphasis on effective intelligence gathering to strengthen the nation’s security system.
Earlier in his remarks, Dr. Adegboyega opined that the State was chosen as one of the States for the pilot study for participants of the course, who are senior officers drawn from the various security organisations from within and outside the country including the Gambia, Ghana and Liberia to explore the uniqueness of administration at local, state, regional, national and the global arena.
